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GW-537-0 has shown a generally downward trend since the spring of 1982. Removal of Wolf <br />Creek overburden in a pit to the west of this site may have affected the recharge of this <br />well, although the Wolf Creek coal well CW-537-WC has shown a shallowing trend in water <br />level. Weil CW-S45 has shown an upward trend in levels since 1981, again likely due to <br />increased recharge since the 1981 drought. <br />5. Wolf Creek Coal <br />Wells CW-S9, CW-510, CW-514, GW-515, CW-535, and CW-537-WC all generally show shallowing <br />water level trends due to increased recharge since 1981. - <br />Two exceptions exist, however. First, well GW-536-WC showed a significant drop in water <br />level in October 1985 (like with GW-536-0), likely due to the proximity of mining ofi the <br />Wolf Creek coal. Second, well GW-S45P1 has shown a significant drop since 1984 but <br />appears to have recovered some since 1985. The drop in level is not likely due to <br />dewatering from the Wolf Creek pit since well CW-S35, which lies between the pit and well <br />CW-545P1, has shown an increase in level. Furthermore, well CW-545P1 is on the other side <br />of the axis of the anticline from the Wolf Creek pit. Also, Wolf Creek overburden we 11 <br />C• GW-545 has, like GW-535, shown a shallowing in water level. The drop in GW-545P1 is <br />possibly due to changes in the recharge area upgradient from roads and diversion ditches, <br />~~ <br />changes in the recharge season (both the springs of 1985 and 1986 were unusually warm with <br />snowmelt occurring one to two months earlier than normal), or a failed well completion <br />(i.e., a leaky grout seal). The water level in this well has partially recovered in 1986; <br />however, two additional monitoring wells (one Wadge Coal and one Wolf Creek Coal) are <br />proposed to be drilled in the immediate vicinity to well GW-545P1 to provide further <br />resolution on ground water heads and recharge to the different aquifer units at this ~' <br />location. <br />6. Trout Creek Sandstone <br />The only well from which water levels can be measured in this strata is GW-538. Downdip <br />from this well, the Trout Creek Sandstone is utilized for supplying water to the Seneca II <br />Mine facilities. Well CW-538 is situated only 200 feet from the axis of the Tow Creek <br />anticline and has shown a 2 to 3 foot decrease in water level since the fall of 1981. <br />Honever, the condition of the water level probe after measuring this well indicates that <br />the well is contaminated with thick drilling mud. As a result, water level data collected <br />from this well should be looked at cautiously. <br />13 <br />